The USSD code for Bank of Africa (BOA) is *987#. This service, officially known as B-Web Smart, gives you direct access to your bank account from any mobile phone.
It does not require an internet connection to function.
Getting Started with B-Web Smart (*987#)
You must register your account for the service before you can perform any transactions. This is a one-time activation process that links your phone number to your Bank of Africa account for security.
Requirements for Activation
- An active account with Bank of Africa.
- The mobile number that is officially registered to that account.
- Your National ID number.
Step-by-Step Registration
- Dial *987# on your phone.
- The service will display its terms and conditions. You must accept them to proceed.
- You will be asked to enter your National ID number to verify your identity.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your account details.
- Once your identity is confirmed, you will create a new, secret PIN. This PIN will be used for all future transactions.
- Re-enter the PIN to confirm it. You will receive an SMS confirming the registration is complete.
How to Monitor Your Account with the USSD Code
The *987# service allows you to perform two main informational tasks. These functions are designed to give you a quick and accurate overview of your account's status at any time.
Checking Your Account Balance
This function provides a real-time display of the available funds in your Bank of Africa account.
- Dial *987# and enter your PIN.
- From the main menu, select the option for 'Balance Inquiry'.
- If you have multiple accounts, choose the one you wish to view.
- Your current balance will be shown directly on your screen.
Requesting a Mini-Statement
A mini-statement is a summary of the last five transactions on your account. The service sends this information to your phone as an SMS, which is useful for tracking recent activity.
- Dial *987# and enter your PIN.
- Select the 'Mini Statement' option from the menu.
- Choose the relevant account.
- Confirm your request. The transaction details will be sent to you via SMS.
Transferring Funds Using the *987# Service
The Bank of Africa USSD code provides several secure methods for sending money. You can move funds to mobile wallets, other bank accounts, or within BOA.
Each transfer type is handled through a specific path in the USSD menu.
Sending Money to an M-Pesa Wallet
This is the process for moving funds from your BOA account to a Safaricom M-Pesa number.
- Dial *987# and enter your PIN.
- From the main menu, select 'Transfers' or 'Send Money'.
- Choose the 'To M-Pesa' option.
- Enter the recipient’s phone number and the amount you want to send.
- A confirmation screen will show the recipient’s name. You must verify that these details are correct before you confirm the transaction.
Transferring to Other Bank Accounts
This function lets you send money from your BOA account to an account at another bank in Kenya.
- In the 'Transfers' menu, select 'To Other Bank'.
- Choose the destination bank from the provided list.
- Carefully enter the recipient’s full bank account number.
- Input the amount and confirm the details on the summary screen.
Sending Money to another BOA Account
This is for making instant payments to other Bank of Africa customers.
- From the 'Transfers' menu, choose 'To BOA Account'.
- Enter the recipient's Bank of Africa account number.
- Input the amount you wish to send and confirm the transaction.
Making Payments and Topping Up Airtime via BOA USSD Code
The *987# service includes functions for settling your regular bills and for buying mobile airtime. These features allow you to handle common transactions directly from your bank account.
How to Settle Bills
You can use the USSD menu to pay for various services, including utilities. You will typically need the company's business number and your specific account number for the bill you are paying.
- Dial *987# and enter your PIN.
- Select the 'Bill Payments' option from the main menu.
- Choose the category of the biller you want to pay.
- Enter the required details, such as your account or meter number.
- Input the amount you wish to pay and confirm the transaction on the final summary screen.
How to Purchase Airtime
This function lets you top up your own phone or send airtime to another person on any mobile network in Kenya.
- From the main menu, select the 'Buy Airtime' option.
- Choose if you are buying for 'My Number' or 'Another Number'.
- If you select 'Another Number', you must enter the recipient's phone number.
- Enter the amount of airtime you wish to purchase and confirm.
Funding Your Parking Payments with the *987# Service
Most county governments in Kenya require parking fees to be paid through M-Pesa. This means you must have enough funds in your M-Pesa wallet to complete the payment.
The Bank of Africa USSD service is a useful tool to ensure your wallet is funded when you need it.
If your M-Pesa balance is too low, you can use the *987# code to move money directly from your bank account. The process is straightforward and takes only a minute.
How to Fund Your Parking Payment
- First, check your M-Pesa balance to see if a top-up is necessary.
- If you need more funds, dial *987#, enter your PIN, and select the 'Transfers' option to send the required amount to your M-Pesa number.
- Once your M-Pesa wallet is funded, you can proceed to pay for your parking.
Each county uses a unique Paybill number for parking. Using the correct code is important to ensure your payment is registered.
You can find a current list of all county parking codes and procedures at the directory on ParkingUSSD.co.ke.
Support and Practical Information for the *987# Service
This section provides solutions for common problems you might encounter while using the service. It also includes important information about service costs and what to do if you have an issue with your PIN.
Understanding Service Charges
Most transactions performed with the Bank of Africa USSD code have a service fee. While checking your balance is usually free, other actions like transferring funds or paying bills will have a small charge.
These fees are standard and are deducted from your account during the transaction. For a detailed list of current charges, you should refer to the official Bank of Africa tariff guide.
What to Do If You Forget Your PIN
You cannot reset a forgotten PIN using the USSD menu. This is a security measure to protect your account. If you forget your PIN, you must contact Bank of Africa directly through their official customer service channels.
A bank representative will verify your identity before guiding you through the secure process of setting a new one.
Common USSD Errors
- Connection Problem: This is the most frequent error and it is almost always caused by a poor mobile network signal, not an issue with the bank's system. The best solution is to move to an area with better reception and try the transaction again.
- Request Timed Out: This message appears if you take too long to respond to a prompt from the menu. The session expires for security. You should simply restart the process by dialing *987# again.